Sara Mazzilli Sara Mazzilli

Accepting Help is Hard

Why is it so hard to accept help? Humans often associate help with weakness and loss of independence and control. However, if we reframe our thoughts, accepting help can be viewed as a form of empowerment: showing vulnerability and trusting someone to help us requires great strength.

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Sara Mazzilli Sara Mazzilli

Sharing the Silver Linings of Living with a Rare Disease

Rare Human Lindsay shares her "silver linings." It's not 'what doesn't kill you makes you stronger,' instead it's what doesn't kill you makes you braver. She shares that she has found deeper connections with others, improved her ability to ask for and accept help, and not been as afraid of the word "no."

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Sara Mazzilli Sara Mazzilli

Why Rare Disease Patients Fight So Hard for Clinical Trials

Journalist and rare disease advocate Lindsay Guentzel breaks down why clinical trials are a lifeline for the rare disease community. With only 5% of known rare diseases having an FDA-approved therapy, trials often represent the only path toward treatment, progress, and hope.

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Sara Mazzilli Sara Mazzilli

Having a Rare Disease is a Full-Time Job

Lindsay was diagnosed with dermatomyositis a couple of years ago. Since then, she has undergone more than 350 doctor appointments, 250+ hours of infusions, 10+ ER visits, while juggling insurance approvals, rides, and her pain and fatigue.

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Sara Mazzilli Sara Mazzilli

The Waiting Game in a Rare Disease Clinical Trial

Rare Human Lindsay is in the midst of her first clinical trial for dermatomyositis, a rare inflammatory disease that primarily affects the skin and muscles. So far, she has learned so much about the process and is eager to share some of her insights with the rare disease community.

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Sara Mazzilli Sara Mazzilli

The Loneliness of a Clinical Trial

While in a clinical study, Lindsay talks about how hard it is not to have a community to turn to, especially when there are only a few patients with her rare disease (dermatomyositis) who have experienced the same treatment she just went through.

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Sara Mazzilli Sara Mazzilli

Getting Treatment and Dealing With Insurance

For the past 7 months, Rare Human @ lindsay has been trying to enroll in a clinical trial for her dermatomyositis. Learn about the challenges that she faced along the way and how her rheumatologist helped her receive out-of-state insurance coverage.

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Sara Mazzilli Sara Mazzilli

Organization Spotlight: Inspire

Inspire is the world’s largest online community built entirely around the experiences of patients and caregivers. With more than three million members across 250+ condition-specific communities, Inspire offers a place where people can find support, information, and belonging.

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Sara Mazzilli Sara Mazzilli

How a Second Opinion Changed My Daughter’s Life with Multiple Sclerosis

After 14 years of misdiagnosis and debilitating illness labeled as Lyme disease, a mother uncovers the truth—her daughter had aggressive multiple sclerosis (MS). Told through the lens of a fierce advocate and cancer survivor, this emotional account highlights the life-changing impact of finding the right doctor and fighting for those you love when they can’t fight for themselves.

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